Batley and Dewsbury care workers celebrate pay rise

Ideal Carehomes have increased the salaries of its lowest-paid workers by 15 per cent, meaning they will now receive a minimum of £7.50 per hour.

The company runs two local homes, Lydgate Lodge and Ashworth Grange, employing around 60 people at both sites.

They hope the move, which came into force this month, will boost recruitment by encouraging the workforce to consider care jobs.

Ideal already offers staff benefits including shopping discounts and childcare vouchers. Currently, the legal minimum wage set by the government is £6.70, and Living Wage campaigners have suggested that a £7.20 rate is needed to live on comfortably. Ideal’s staff will receive an extra 30p per hour on top of the recommended amount.

“The introduction of the Living Wage has given providers like us the opportunity to demonstrate our dedication to a quality care offer and recognition of how hard our staff work to create such great places to live. Offering an above Living Wage, never mind minimum wage, rise is a no brainer for us and puts us ahead of the curve in the sector,” said chief executive Matt Lowe, who hopes the decision will also improve staff motivation and commitment to those in their care.